It established juvenile courts[2] and introduced the registration of foster parents, thus regulating baby-farming and wet-nursing and trying to stamp out infanticide.

Local authorities were also granted powers to keep poor children out of the poorhouse/workhouse and protect them from abuse.

The act also prohibited children, under the age of 16, working in dangerous trades, purchasing cigarettes, entering brothels, or the bars of trading pubs.

Additionally, it prohibited the consumption of alcohol, for non medicinal purposes, before the age of five.

It eventually led to many councils setting up social services and orphanages.